Editor : Amethyst00



FWOOOOOOSH—

Nyx grit her teeth as the flames surged from behind, engulfing the area.

'To think he actually crossed into a parallel world!'

Not even in her worst predictions had she imagined such an outcome.

What's worse— the Erebos who had breached the barrier of worlds now wielded power far beyond hers.

KRAKOOOOOM—!

In that instant, a massive pillar of black flame crashed down before Nyx.

As Erebos emerged through the searing black blaze, Nyx narrowed her eyes.

"…You got here first. But what's with that form? Why are you wearing a human's face?"

Erebos responded flatly.

"It's the face of the Hero of the Beginning."

"So now you've stooped to imitating a human's form?"

Erebos's lips curled faintly.

"You're remarkably consistent across all timelines."

A mocking sneer tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"It seems, in that other worldline, I was consumed by him once again. But tell me—how did you cross into this world?"

Nyx's gaze sharpened.

Opening the way between parallel worlds— that was her authority.

But passing through that path was an entirely different matter.

"I interpreted your power in my own way. And I discovered a new possibility."

"You? A being of destruction, seeking possibility? Don't make me laugh."

"Laugh all you want. But thanks to it, I've surpassed all limits."

Erebos let out a chilling grin.

Nyx felt goosebumps crawl across her entire body at the sight.

"There's nothing left for you to do in this era."

Erebos raised his sword and pointed it at her.

"A loser should fade quietly into the shadows of history."

"…And who exactly are you calling a loser—"

CRACK—!

"…!"

Nyx's face froze.

A sword had pierced straight through her chest.

"How pitiful."

Erebos spoke with disinterest, as if bored.

Though he had only swung into empty space, his sword had torn through the very fabric of reality— and appeared behind Nyx, running her through.

"To think you couldn't even defend against such a primitive attack."

Before him stood a fellow god of evil—once his equal.

But compared to the Great Heroes who had fought and defied him, she was frail.

A being who amounted to nothing outside the overwhelming power she had inherited as an evil god.

As Erebos approached, Nyx's face twisted with rising terror.

'I don't want to go back.'

The moment Erebos lifted his sword again—

CRRRAAAACK—!

Nyx unleashed a chilling wave of frost.

Erebos countered with flames, pushing the cold back— but by then, Nyx had vanished without a trace.

"Pathetic."

Erebos clicked his tongue and shook his head.

She had fled toward the demons who served her— toward Styx.

"So she plans to use Styx as a shield to escape me?"

A pointless struggle.

She would never escape him.

She should've met her end with dignity— at least then, she might've retained the pride befitting an evil god.

FWOOOOOSH—

Erebos vanished into the black flames, in pursuit of Nyx.

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In the heart of the battlefield.

The vanguard of Styx's advancing forces clashed headlong with the knights and magi of Davienne's heroes— and with the summoned spirits of Lysinas.

Amidst the chaos, a girl with black hair raised her sword high.

"Celia! Don't push in too deep!"

From the rear—if it could even be called that in the scale of this battlefield—Abad shouted urgently.

He wasn't far behind. The so-called "rear" was only relatively untouched by enemy attacks.

As an all-rounder mage—not quite on Chelsea's level, but skilled enough for close combat—Abad had advanced a bit further forward than most.

It was all to sync his movements with Celia, his combat partner, and maximize their combined potential.

"Tch! We need a big hit to stabilize the front line! I'll hold them off somehow—just get your spell ready!"

"Tch…!"

Both Celia and Abad wore the same anxious expression.

This wasn't a clash of mere foot soldiers.

They were up against Styx's demonic legions—transcendent monsters—and the ancient humans who followed them.

Even knights and magi armed with extraordinary talent, honed skills, and the experience of multiple worlds of heroes… were barely holding on.

The enemy's killing intent overwhelmed them. Terror pressed in with every step.

Just moments ago, even the fortress wall behind them had collapsed.

Even with Lysinas's summoned spirits, their side remained at a disadvantage.

Which is why Celia and Abad had pushed themselves this far.

And then—

"Celia! Abbd! Are you safe?!"

A voice called from above.

FWEEEEEEEESH! KRAKKA-KRAK-KRAKOOM—!

Something massive plummeted into the center of the enemy lines, slamming into them with terrifying force.

Dust billowed.

And through that rising cloud stepped Lyl—gripping a colossal battle hammer—as she positioned herself before Celia.

"You're unharmed! You've done well, both of you!"

"Senior Lyl! Behind you—!"

Celia shouted.

Lyl immediately swung her hammer backward.

CRACK!

"Kkagh—?!"

The ancient human who had been creeping up behind her went flying, their skull collapsed inward.

"I'll take the front! Celia, Abad—prepare your area spells!"

And with that, Lyl charged into the fray like a wild beast.

"She's really something else, that senior…"

Celia clicked her tongue.

"Focus. Let's do this."

"Got it."

Abad began preparing his spell, and Celia stirred her flame aura.

Fire and wind—merged.

As the two readied their wide-scale attack—

FWOOSH—!

Someone emerged in the middle of the battlefield.

Celia's eyes met the figure's.

And for a split second, time seemed to freeze under that overwhelming presence.

At the same moment—

FWRRRROOOOOOOM—! KRAKKA-KRAK-KRAKOOM—!

A surge of black flame engulfed the center of the field.

"Kh…?!"

Celia instinctively threw herself in front of Abad.

"Celia?!"

She barely managed to block the black fire with her aura—then collapsed to her knees.

"Kyle… sir?"

Her voice trembled as she stared in horror at the figure revealed in the flames.

The battle screeched to a halt.

One by one, people turned toward the figure, murmurs spreading.

"The Hero of the Beginning…?"

"No way…"

"D-Did he appear to save us?!"

Until now, the Great Heroes had always shown up in the direst moments—like a miracle.

They thought another such miracle had come.

But then Celia saw it.

Kyle's expression curled into a sinister grin.

"Everyone—get away from him!!"

KRAKKA-KRAK-KRAKOOM—! FWOOOOOOOSH—!

A vortex of black flame exploded outward from "Kyle."

"Did you really think they could be your shields, Nyx?"

Erebos sneered as he swept the battlefield, chasing the hidden Nyx.

Just that pursuit alone was enough to endanger everyone around.

At that moment—

Abad's eyes widened.

"Celia!"

Celia stood before him, her back to the inferno.

She looked down at Abad with a strained smile.

"Abad… fall back!"

"You don't have to protect me!"

"I don't… but… protecting a mage is one of a knight's duties. It's not because it's you."

She grit her teeth.

"I'm just doing my job."

"I don't care! I won't let you die—!"

"Abad! In this kind of battle, we need someone to survive and carry on! Right now, that someone is you—!"

"Shut up!"

Abad shouted, his voice cracking.

"You think I'd let the person I love sacrifice herself?!"

"…What?"

Celia stared at him, stunned.

And then—

"Are you two filming a romance drama in the middle of a battlefield? Tch, kids these days."

A drawling, irritating voice cut in.

And then—

FWOOSH—!

Someone wrapped Celia in a cloak protectively.

BOOM—! KRAKKA-KRAKOOM—!

The black flames surged skyward and burst in a violent eruption.

Celia looked up at the man who had shielded her.

She whispered, in a daze—

"…Kyle… sir?"

And as she murmured—

"Hrk!"

Kyle's hand touched her back.

Celia clutched at his cloak as searing pain tore through her— but then—

WUUUM—!

Kyle cast a healing spell.

Using Innocent, he burned away the remnants of the black flames seared into her back.

As the pain slowly faded, Celia's expression softened.

When the treatment was done, Kyle draped his cloak over her.

"Wear it."

"M-Me? But this looks like some kind of protection—what about you?"

"I don't need it. Besides, your clothes are all burned up. Leaving you like that would be indecent."

Celia blinked up at him, dumbfounded.

Kyle stepped back and turned to Abad.

"Hey. Mage kid."

"Yes?"

"It's only natural to protect the girl you love. But there'll be times you can't—even if you give your life. And dying with her won't help anyone."

Abad clenched his fists.

"Survive. Get stronger. Then take your revenge."

"…Yes."

"Or better yet, become strong enough to protect her before that happens."

Abad looked up at him.

"It's that kind of world, isn't it?"

Kyle smiled.

"Damn… it was hell getting here. But seeing kids like you—makes me think it was worth it."

Abad's fists trembled.

Celia, still holding Kyle's cloak tightly, murmured, "So that's how… you were able to defeat Erebos—for Lady Luna."

"It wasn't just for her. But… I guess you could say that."

"I see… the power of love must be amazing. To fight that hard for the one you love…"

"…The hell are you talking about?"

Kyle gave her a baffled look. Celia tilted her head.

"Weren't you and Lady Luna… lovers?"

"Nope."

"Huh?"

"I don't know who started spreading that nonsense, but don't go repeating it."

With that, Kyle turned toward Erebos.

Celia, still sitting, watched him go, murmuring in a daze.

"But Lady Luna… definitely loved him…"

"Don't overthink it. Anyway, Celia."

"Hmm?"

"Forget it."

"Hmm~?"

Celia narrowed her eyes, then smiled playfully.

"Why should I? The great Abad Lewellin says he loves me, you know?"

"Haaah…"

Abad groaned and rubbed his face.

Celia giggled.

"If I'm gonna be fair, I should say it too. I don't dislike you either."

"So… does that mean you two are dating now?!"

"Kyaaaaaa?!"

Celia shrieked in shock at Lyl's sudden voice from behind.

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The black flames unleashed by Erebos incinerated everything around him. Not a trace of the enemy remained.

Those who still lived could only stare at him, frozen in fear. None dared to step forward. None dared to speak.

And in that suffocating silence—

Step. Step.

Footsteps echoed across the scorched battlefield.

A lone figure slowly approached— and stopped before Erebos, blocking his path.

Erebos's eyes twitched as he looked upon the one who stood before him.

The man bore the same face as he did.

"You…"

"Disgusting, isn't it?"

Kyle sneered coldly.

"To see the thing I just tore to shreds and sealed away… waltzing around right in front of me."

At his words, Erebos raised his blade toward him.

Kyle matched the motion, lifting his sword into the exact same stance.

A perfect mirror—yet completely opposite in will.

"This time… I won't seal you."

Kyle's voice was calm and resolute.

"I'll end you."

Erebos's eyes narrowed.

"No. This time… you will fall."

And the moment their words ended—

KWOOM—!

Sword clashed against sword in a thunderous collision, as the Hero of the Beginning and the Flame of Calamity met once more in battle.